[Sisofthegroom]

I am the sister of the groom and in the wedding. My brother is having a black tie optional (read VERY formal) wedding. My husband and all of the males in the party as well as relatives attending are wearing tuxedos. The bridesmaids are in ball gowns and the bride is in a couture dress. Her parents are from the midwest and can't get over how "elaborate" they are going for their wedding. After waiting months for the MOB to choose her dress she finally has...its a sunshine yellow spandex sundress that comes mid-thigh. The bride has asked her to rethink the dress but mom and dad are settled on their sundress and khakis with sports blazer combination (they threatened to not come if asked to change).

My mother is now at a loss. Everyone in our family who will be there will be in gowns and tuxedos. Is she really expected to match the mother of the bride in this case (color, style, etc)?

Please help!

[Wedding Queen and MOG]

Has the bride spoken to her parents? I mean, gee, it sounds as though the MOB's dress isn't appropriate for any type of wedding, much less a formal occasion or for a woman over the age of 30, which I assume she is. Even if she has a perfect body, these choices would certainly steal the attention from the bride (even if it would be just guests gawking and talking!) Spandex? Thigh length? :blink:

When the MOB is being unreasonable and inappropriate, as she is in this instance, I'd say break with tradition and go ahead and select an appropriate dress in a color other than yellow. Try coordinating the color with the bridesmaids, choosing a proper style for the MOG, and let the MOB embarrass herself if she chooses to wear something inappropriate.

[Sisofthegroom]

Thank you so much! I thought that would be the answer but I thought it was better to be safe than sorry. You have given a sense of calm back to my mom, who at 50 and a lil rounder than the MOB was starting to have panic attacks.

Yes the bride has asked her mother to rethink the dress but she's not budging. She thinks the yellow will brighten up the black and white affair as its "cheery" and she thinks she looks great so why not show it off.

[Etiquette Now]

I agree. This choice is very inappropriate, so the MOG shouldn't be made to feel as if she needs to match this... can't think of a polite way to describe this attire. :o

I agree that she should coordinate with the bridesmaids at this point.

Good luck with this!

[Wedding Queen and MOG]

How sad for the bride that her mother thinks of herself first.